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Archives for February 2013

Ducted Air Conditioning In New Home Construction

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If you’re building a new home, you already know that it’s a huge investment of both time and energy. And, when you’re putting so much into it, you want to make sure that your home is designed and built to provide you with many years of comfortable living.

Most homeowners understand the value of investing in a high quality HVAC unit for comfort, reliability and energy cost savings.

Poorly planned or installed air ducts can cancel any energy savings you’re counting on in your new home. So if you want to get the most out of your investment and stay cool and comfortable when the temperature here in Brisbane soars, it’s a good idea to consult with a qualified HVAC design professional before starting your HVAC installation in your new home.

Important Things to Consider When Installing a Ducted Air Conditioning System

Here are a few of the main factors you should review with an air conditioning professionalbefore installing air ducts in your new home.

System Sizing

The sizing of your ducted air conditioning unit is vital to the overall success of your HVAC system. Using a complex set of calculations, we’ll take into account the size of your home, the type of insulation used, the number of windows (and their efficiency) and the amount of direct sunlight your house will get.

Units that are sized too small will not be able to keep your house cool and may even freeze up on really hot days. Systems that are too large for the space will not run efficiently and will constantly cycle off and on, creating extra wear and tear on the unit.

Design and Layout

Ductwork that is undersized or poorly designed for your home can severely limit airflow and may increase energy costs. Have you ever experienced a cold spot in a room? That’s due to incorrectly sized or badly placed ducts. If not done correctly, ducts will deliver too much air to some rooms and not enough to others. That leads to an uncomfortable living space.

It’s important to work with your HVAC installer when designing the ducting system. That way, ducts can be placed where they’ll be the least noticeable and the most efficient.

Sealing Ductwork

Air leakage is the greatest cause of air conditioning problems. It’s vital that your ductwork, both on the supply side and the exhaust side, is properly installed, sealed and insulated to prevent leakage. This will greatly enhance the performance of your new home’s cooling system. Properly sealed ducts prevent loss of energy through air leaks and can improve your overall system’s efficiency by up to 20 percent.

For many of us, designing and building a new home is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Make sure you get it done right by consulting with professionals before getting started. Your family and your checkbook will thank you! For more information on air conditioning for new home builds click here.

How Important Is Air Conditioning Maintenance?

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As homeowners, we’re all well aware of the constant maintenance that goes into keeping our homes in good condition. However, something that’s often overlooked in the maintenance department is air conditioners.We usually don’t even notice them until they’re not working! However, with proper maintenance, your air conditioning system will continue to keep you and your family comfortable for many years.

Here in Brisbane, the best time of the year for an air conditioning checkup is when the days start getting warmer from September through November. Don’t wait for the first scorcher of a day in December to switch on your unit and discover that it’s not working.

What Maintenance Can You Do Yourself?

Changing and cleaning air conditioning filters is an easy do-it-yourself project that you should do every few months. Dirty filters create problems. They reduce efficiency by restricting airflow, often causing a buildup of ice on the unit’s evaporator. Replace all dirty disposable fiberglass filters ASAP. Electronic and electrostatic filters need to be washed frequently for best operation.

Another easy air conditioning maintenance job the homeowner can take responsibility for is making sure the outside condensing unit is clutter free. The condenser needs to draw air into the system to cool and circulate through your home. Make sure you don’t stack bags of lawn clippings, patio furniture or anything else against the condenser during the off season, essentially cutting off the air supply.

What Maintenance Is Best Done By An Expert?

Other than routine cleaning, it’s best to call in a professional air conditioning service company to do your air conditioning maintenance. Professional checkups of central air conditioning systems should be done annually every spring before the start of the cooling season.

A professional checkup is the best way to make sure your air conditioning unit will run well and keep you cool all summer. In addition, it may also disclose any small problems that could end up being expensive problems in the future. A checkup will is the best way to make sure your unit is running at peak efficiency.

Here are some air conditioning maintenance requirements best left to the experts:

  • Oiling of motors if needed.
  • Calibration of the thermostat.
  • Cleaning of air ducts and vents.
  • Cleaning of condenser and evaporator coils.
  • Checking for correct Freon (refrigerant) levels.
  • Checking of all electrical workings and controls.

Also, if your residential air conditioner or commercial air conditioner is more than ten years old, your local service person can show you how you can save money on utility bills with a more up-to-date, energy efficient unit.

Modern air conditioners are fairly complex. But if you do simple maintenance tasks yourself and schedule a professional service call at least once a year, you should be able to enjoy cost-effective and trouble-free performance for the lifetime of your unit.